The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston (ICC) will honor Kathleen O’Toole, the first female commissioner of the Boston Police Department, at the 2nd Annual Brian J. Donnelly Award for Leadership in Public Service on September 19th.

The award is named for former-United States Congressman and former-United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Brian J. Donnelly, who passed away in February 2023 and was known for a strong commitment to public service. He is often recognized for the instrumental role he played in creating the Donnelly Visa, a program which helped many emigrate to the U.S. from Ireland seeking the American Dream. The ICC presented the first annual Brian J. Donnelly Award for Leadership in Public Service in 2023 to the current President and CEO of the New England Council and former-Massachusetts Representative, James T. Brett.
 

O’Toole is the second recipient of the annual Donnelly Award, being honored for her work in Massachusetts as an attorney and career police officer, including as the first female Commissioner of the Boston Police Department, appointed in 2004. In addition to her work with the Boston Police Department, O'Toole served as Lieutenant Colonel of Massachusetts State Police and as the Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety.

 During the Northern Ireland Peace Process, O’Toole was a member of the Independent Commission on Policing (The Patten Commission). In 2006, she moved to Dublin and served for six years as Chief Inspector of An Garda Síochána Inspectorate, an oversight body that advised the Minister of Justice.  After returning from Ireland, O’Toole spent several years as Chief of the Seattle Police Department. More recently, she chaired the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. She currently is president of O’Toole Associates, LLC, an international consulting firm that advises government and industry clients, and a partner at 21st Century Policing Solutions.

 O’Toole has been a long-time friend of the ICC, having served previously on the Board of Directors. She is a current board member of the Irish American Partnership and the University of Limerick Foundation Board. She is also on the advisory board of the Business School at Trinity College Dublin. She has been a supporter of the Irish community throughout her years in public service.

“We are incredibly honored to present Kathleen O’Toole with the 2024 Brian J. Donnelly Award for Public Service,” Executive Director of the ICC Jerry McDermott, and Chair of the ICC’s Board of Directors Martina Curtin said. “Kathleen’s tireless dedication to public service epitomizes the values of Brian J. Donnelly’s life and work. Her contributions to policing and her commitment to the Irish community have made a lasting impact both locally and internationally, and we look forward to celebrating her achievements at this year’s event.”

“I am deeply honored to receive the 2024 Brian J. Donnelly Award for Public Service from the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston,” said O’Toole. “Brian Donnelly’s legacy of service and his efforts to strengthen the ties between Ireland and the United States continue to inspire me. Throughout my career, I have been committed to serving communities and fostering positive change. To be recognized by the ICC for my work is deeply meaningful, and I look forward to continuing to support the mission of the ICC."

 “I was tremendously honored to receive the first Brian Donnelly Award last year, and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient than Kathleen O’Toole,” said James T. Brett, President & CEO of The New England Council. “Kathleen has dedicated her career to public service at the local, state, national, and international levels, and because of her commitment and expertise, we all live in a safer world.”

Proceeds from the Brian J. Donnelly Award for Leadership in Public Service help support the ICC’s mission of promoting and preserving Irish culture and heritage. A portion of funds raised from the event supports the ICC’s hiring of a J-1 visa intern from Ireland each summer, as homage to Brian J. Donnelly’s work with the Donnelly Visa.

The award ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19 at the Omni Parker House in Boston (60 School Street, Boston, MA 02108). Further information regarding tickets and event details are available here or via the Irish Cultural Centre’s website, irishculture.org.